T20 World Cup 2022: South Africa had every chance to beat Zimbabwe in the Super 12 match at the Bellerive Oval in Hobart. However, the rain was a bummer.
New Delhi,UPDATED: 24 Oct 2022 17:59 IST
T20 WC 2022: Continued rain robs SA of crucial win vs ZIM after Quinton de Kock blitz. Thanks to: Reuters
By Sabyasachi Chowdhury: South Africa was so close to opening an account in the 2022 T20 World Cup on Monday, October 24. But the rain played a spoilsport. After numerous showers, the officials gave up the ghost and their match against Zimbabwe was cancelled.
In the Super 12 match at Bellerive Oval in Hobart, Quinton de Kock went all out and played his shots fearlessly. The southpaw went unbeaten with 47 runs from 18 balls with the help of eight fours and one six, while South Africa finished with 51 in three overs.
De Kock threw the sink at everything from the start. For starters, De Kock crushed fast bowler Tendai Chatara for 23 runs to get his team off to a flying start. He then took over for Richard Ngarava and the Proteas scored 40 runs in their first two overs.
Initially, it was decided that it would be a nine-over affair. After opting to bat first, Zimbabwe failed to get going as they lost piles of wickets. Sikandar Razawho has been in amazing shape lately, failed to open his account.
But a partnership of 60 between Milton Shumba and Wesley Madhevere of 32 balls helped Zimbabwe put a competitive score of 80 for five on the board. Even when Lungi Ngidi took two wickets, Wayne Parnell and Anrich Nortje were each good for one scalp.
Due to rain during the South African innings, the goal was adjusted from 81 to 64 off seven overs. With 13 runs needed on 24 balls, the rain came again and this time it hit the final nail in the box.
The umpires tried to finish the game, but failed to hold on for five overs. Zimbabwean spinner Sean Williams also complained that the rain was coming down hard enough.